Barbara Boxer

I think the fact that our regional partners got to actually meet human rights advocates is very important.

The reason we have relations are geopolitical reasons, that we want to work to change these places.

When you listen to my colleague, you would think this was the only country in the world that we have relations with and we are starting to have relations with where the state owns hotels.

I think that is critical. And I am going to write a letter to Pope Francis thanking him for his leadership on this.

Our new policy is in line with our allies' policy.

The fact of the matter is they represent the status quo and the status quo in Cuba has not worked.

I would ask unanimous consent to place in the record the full statement of Alan Gross, an open letter to President Obama from 78 foreign policy thinkers and leaders.

The Holy See will continue to assure its support for initiatives which both nations will undertake to strengthen their bilateral relations and promote the well-being of their respective citizens.

I think having a policy in which Americans cannot interact with the people that we care about is not only, I think, unintelligent but it does not work.

We have failed as government to give any certainty to this process.

A robust, multi-year surface transportation bill will support millions of jobs for American workers.

There is nothing better that we could do.

I want to make sure I am protecting taxpayers here.

I am pleased that the EPW Committee's first hearing in the 114th Congress is focused on the importance of Federal funding for our nation's transportation infrastructure.

We would like you in another way, in your very eloquent way, explain to us why certainty is so critical.

This is our duty, this is our job, this is the best thing we can do for the Country.

More short-term extensions are not the answer. Our states, industries, and economy need long-term authorizations.

I am committed to doing the right thing, and I thank all of our witnesses for helping spread this message.

We have a great record of bipartisanship on that issue. So nothing should stop us.

Senator Booker should be proud of this contribution to this debate and what he is doing in the environment committee. Let me say quickly--because I know we are running out of time--here is the deal. You raised the golden standard--NEPA…

That was my amendment No. 128. I am very disappointed, because what the Senator is talking about, making sure the pipelines are safe, and what I am talking about, a health study, are quite related. I know my friend from Michigan wanted me…

Reclaiming my time, we have already wasted 4 minutes of the 15. The Senator can object if she does not want to allow us to have an amendment pending, but I am going to start off here. Is the Senator still objecting? Instead of Senator…

Well, some will ask for amendments to be pending. I know I will. Some will not ask that; they just want to be heard. But there is 30 minutes left in the debate. Your side just finished. Obviously, if we do not want to be fair, somebody…

Excuse me for interrupting. I assume we have at least a minute to talk about our amendment.

You have got to give this diplomacy a chance to work.